1996 4Runner Advice on repairs

[CinfulGentleman]

I was fortunate enough to purchase this 1996 4Runner from my mother-in-law three years back for about $500. It was at 190K+ miles and ran really well.

Yesterday the forth cylinder started mis-firing and its probably time to get a tune-up. Which I really don't mind paying somebody $300+ to do. But they are concerned about the timing belt and that's a $600+ job. The truck now has 220K miles and I want to make sure I'm not putting money into something if I'm not going to having it around for much longer.

Some of my friends say they've heard of people with 350K on their 4Runners, but as this is my first I wanted to get people's input who have a better concept who isn't their "cousin's best friend".

Thanks for the help.

 

[MONTYMTB]

I was fortunate enough to purchase this 1996 4Runner from my mother-in-law three years back for about $500. It was at 190K+ miles and ran really well.

Yesterday the forth cylinder started mis-firing and its probably time to get a tune-up. Which I really don't mind paying somebody $300+ to do. But they are concerned about the timing belt and that's a $600+ job. The truck now has 220K miles and I want to make sure I'm not putting money into something if I'm not going to having it around for much longer.

Some of my friends say they've heard of people with 350K on their 4Runners, but as this is my first I wanted to get people's input who have a better concept who isn't their "cousin's best friend".

Thanks for the help.

These trucks will easily go over 300k if properly maintained, and even if you have to pay $1k for maintenance you still wouldn't have much in it. You make it sound like it has been a good truck so far... seems like a no-brainer to me.
http://www.toyota-4runner.org/3rd-gen-t4rs/41381-highest-mileage.html

 

[ShooterMcGavin]

You'll get lots of input from other members soon. These are long lasting vehicles.

I bought my '97 about a year ago. It now has 267,000 miles. When I bought it, it came with no maintenance history, and I doubt it had gotten much service in the past 50,000 miles. Still, I am stinking more than the value of the vehicle into just parts alone, to get it all completely serviced to my liking. Yes, mine was cheap, and has rust, and creaks here and there. Still, after I finish some work (including timing belt, water pump, etc.), I expect that it will be reliable and trustworthy when going far out of cell service for many years to come. If you don't need to buy a new vehicle, then I think it is worth the investment. These aren't exactly like many/most other cars where 200+k miles is beyond the expected life span. That's my opinion.